Zim model strikes Mzansi deal

Murangandi carries several titles that include Mr Zimbabwe First Runner Up (2020), Mister I Am Africa Zimbabwe (2019), top five finalist at Mister Friendship International (2021) and Mister World Heritage Brand Ambassador (2022).

HUMILITY is the greatest key to success for local male model Ishmael Murangandi who has assumed a choreography role in the South African beauty pageant Miss Icora FM set for November 17.

Murangandi carries several titles that include Mr Zimbabwe First Runner Up (2020), Mister I Am Africa Zimbabwe (2019), top five finalist at Mister Friendship International (2021) and Mister World Heritage Brand Ambassador (2022).

The Bulawayo-based model believes the hard work, discipline and humility he exhibited at the Miss Environment Grand International in India in June this year has given him a chance to showcase his choreography talent beyond the borders.

As he chronicled to NewsDay Life & Style how he met Qaphile Putsoane, the national director for Miss Environment South Africa, Murangandi still could not believe that he will be part of the prestigious pageant in Mzansi.

“I met Putsoane in June while we were in India during the Miss Environment Grand Pageant. She was with the beautiful Nokwazi Ndwandwe (Miss Environment South Africa) who had won Miss Icora FM,” he explained.

“I was never hesitant to be of help whenever I could, so Putsoane really got interested in working with me after she had seen all the hard work and help I was putting in for my dear African sisters. She then told me that I was going to be part of thechoreography team for the forthcoming Miss Icora FM 2023, and of course that has been fulfilled.”

Murangandi believes being part of Miss Icora FM is a great opportunity.

“I am still in awe, we are talking of South Africa, home of art and talent, falling in love with a boy from Bulawayo. It is one of the biggest happenings of my life this year,” he noted.

“After Putsoane spoke to me about choreographing at Miss Icora 2023/24, I could not think twice about such a huge step in my life. I did the right thing to accept the offer as it has always been part of the dream to showcase my talent, not only in my country.”

Murangandi’s first experience working as a choreographer was in 2020 alongside Zimbabwe’s modelling industry icon Sarah Mpofu during Miss Tourism Bulawayo.

“I was taught by the best in the industry,” he said.

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